Why in the News?
A new plant species named Pedicularis rajeshiana has been discovered in the western Himalayas of India.
About Pedicularis rajeshiana:
- Discovery: It is a newly discovered plant species found at Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 4,390 metres.
- Research Publication: The discovery was made by a scientist from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Dehradun, and published in the journal Phytotaxa.
- Plant Family: It belongs to the Orobanchaceae family and is part of the Lousewort group of plants.
- Plant Type: It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it draws some nutrients from nearby plants but also performs photosynthesis.
- Habitat: Grows on shaded, rocky mountain slopes, making it rare and possibly endangered due to its specific environment.
- Diversity: With this addition, India now has 83 Pedicularis species, including 36 in the western Himalayas.
Key Features of the Plant:
- Unique Floral Structure:
- Flowers have a deeply cut lower lip and stamens at three different levels — a very rare combination.
- Some flowers show a twin galea (double hood), never observed before in this genus, possibly an evolutionary trait to enhance pollination.
- Microscopic Details: Pollen grains have a croton-like texture and a distinct shape, confirmed through microscope studies.
- Distinctiveness: Compared to related species like P. porrecta and P. heydei, this plant is smaller, with fewer flowers and leaflets.
| [UPSC 2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?
Options: (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics. (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. * (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides. (d) (None of the above. |
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